SCOOP: Reps. Erin Houchin and Sheri Biggs on the need to protect Caitlin Clark on and off the court

House Republicans in the Republican Study Committee (RSC) made national news when they wrote to Cathy Engelbert, the Commissioner of the WNBA, demanding that the league take increased measures to protect the league’s star player, Caitlin Clark.

RSC members, led by Rep. August Pfluger (R., Texas) wrote to Engelbert that “if discrimination or retaliation is occurring and creating a hostile work environment, we support any appropriate investigation by the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If true, such conduct could constitute violations of federal civil rights laws.”

Following the bombshell letter, and before Engelbert has responded, Reps. Erin Houchin (R., Ind.) and Sheri Biggs (R., S.C.) discussed why they are prioritizing the protection of women’s sports in the latest episode of the RSC’s podcast, Right to the Point, which was obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter.

“It is astonishing to me that what what Caitlin has had to put up with on the court and off the court, being hip checked, poked in the eye and and most recently struck in the throat during games,” Clark’s fellow Hoosier, Houchin, said on the podcast. “This is not just on the court; it’s off the court too. There have been countless social media posts endorsing violence against her, and further reports that some of the attacks the attacks may have been racially motivated. This is a player who has attracted millions of fans to the WNBA, including my own daughters, and it seems the league is turning its back on its MVP.”

For Biggs, the letter to Engelbert is important because it “will get attention and and know that we’re interested in what’s taking place and that we are going to protect our young women in sports. It’s about accountability, making sure that they are enforcing their rules and regulations because they’re in place for a reason to protect these young women in this workspace, and we will be keeping an eye on this. And this letter is just the first step.”

Both lawmakers emphasized that the letter is only the first step in ensuring that the WNBA protects its players. “That the letter is a first step,” Houchin agreed, saying that “a letter usually is like, ‘hey, we’re concerned with this. We want some action, and we will support further action if necessary.’ And that was clear in the letter. It warns if the discrimination continues, that the league will face potential or could face potential crackdown from the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, and the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission…All of these organizations, they are employers. They are subject to these protections that are in federal law.”

Houchin explained that the Clark letter is part of a broader push by Republicans to protect women’s sports. “Whether it’s getting males out of the female sports or even ensuring that males aren’t in the locker room, we want to make sure that female athletes are being fair to each other as well.I know the Republican Study Committee is committed to ensuring the integrity of women’s sports in all fronts.”

On the other hand, she continued, “it’s concerning to me that Democrats are openly advocating for men in sports. They’re disregarding what’s happening to Caitlin Clark at the expense of fairness and integrity. What kind of message are we sending to young girls in the country, and what more do you think we should be doing?”

“Democrats have voted repeatedly against measures that protect women in sports,” Houchin added. “That’s failing to protect 50 percent of the American public who happen to be female and who want these opportunities. And women before us did fight very hard to have these opportunities in sport and scholarship, and it’s really disappointing that even in the WNBA, where it is a a sport that is really elevating these female athletes, that we’ve seen Caitlin Clark have to endure this, in a way that no athlete, whether they’re male or female, should have to endure.”

“But Caitlin Clark is particularly targeted,” she continued. “I believe it’s probably a lot of jealousy, which is unfortunate. Rising water raises all boats. She is that standard who I think has really elevated the sport.”

Biggs concluded the episode by noting that she is optimistic that the WNBA will respond, but added that “we are prepared to go to the next step if need be.”